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Belgian Goffin, who will meet Rafael Nadal in the last four, had not previously beaten a top-three player.

That record looked likely to continue when Djokovic establish a 4-2 advantage in the deciding set.

But the 12-time Grand Slam champion, who was aiming for a third title on the clay in Monte Carlo, then dropped five of the next six games as world No 13 Goffin eventually sealed his place in the last four by taking his fifth match point.

Djokovic felt he should have made more of his opportunities during the match.

'I started slowly probably because I played two long matches (in the previous rounds),' he told atpworldtour.com. 'But I thought as the match progressed I was feeling okay. You know, I was physically fine.

Djokovic saved four match points before succumbing to defeat at the hands of the 10th seed

Goffin put on a gritty display in the decider after Djokovic had levelled the score at one set all

The former world No 1 failed to capitalise on top seed Andy Murray's elimination on Thursday

'We had a lot of exchanges, a lot of rallies. David is playing very quick. He's a fast player. I thought I played very, very well for a set and a half, from the start of the second set.

'I had my chances, I definitely did. I just didn't use them.'

Former world No 1 Nadal made fairly light work of his quarter-final, beating Diego Schwartzman in straight sets.

The Spaniard needed an hour and 40 minutes to complete a 6-4 6-4 victory against the Argentinian world No 41.